Approved Depots.—Article XL
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Hilly Halifax Possesses a Modern Well-equipped Depot Situated in Horton Street.
Halifax, a. typical, thriving Yorkshire town, with a .population just passed the six-figure mark, has exceptional. need for commercial vehicles. This is so principally on account of the Jact that the majority of its interests concern the woollen industry, which, as is well known, requires a large amount of transport for its satisfactory pro.se'eution. There is a special feature of Halifax, however. which necessitates that its commercial-vehicle agents shall be men of hardihood, not afraid to tackle stiff propositions, and that the models they sell shall similarly be capable of tackling the stiff gradients which abound in this hilly town. Only high-class chassis will be able for long to stand the hard work to which commercial vehicles are put in this district. The Wise agent will lay his plans accordingly.
A Town Full of Greenwoods. .
• As you leave the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Station.. the
street facing the station exit is The front view of Messrs. Greenwood's depot: the open yard Horton Street. Iminediately on is on the left of the main building, and will allow of extension your left a large-signboard directs in future if required. you to the premises of Greenwood Bros., Engineers, a little further on to the right, Greenwood's Universal-Provider Teashop greets you. On the left again, is the depot of Thomas Greenwood's Sons, and by this time you have arrived at the .veritte of our current and eleventh article of the approved depot series. As befits the district, it is situated half-way up a fairly stiff hill.
An Old-established Engineering Business.
This establishment was opened 40 years ago by Mr. Thomas Greenwood, who embarked in business at that time as a machinery merchanti, specializing in woodworking machinery and engineers' tools. He retired in 1909, and the business was taken over by his two sons, Frank and George Greenwood, being nazried on from that time under the above style. About
the beginning of l91'4, Messrs. Greenwood arrived at adecision concerning a new departure, they having agreed that the commercialvehicle industry was one which held promise of considerable future expansion, and they decided that they would take a hand in -whatever business might be going? feeling -confident at the same time that they would be well rewarded for their pains. Having come to this decision, their plans were laid immediately for the new venture and were carried through with characteristic Yorkshire thoroughness. The new building in Horton Street designed specially with a view to the requirements of the commercial-motor industry, was finally completed and opened in January, 1913.
Austins the First Choice.
The. first \agency taken over by this firm was that for Austin chassis. Mr. Greenwood informs us that he believes that he was the first to take Up the Austin agency for commercial vehicles; • he made his arrangements with that concern at the Manchester Show at which the Austin type vehicle was first displayed. It will be gathered that Messrs. Greenwood have been connected with the Austin commercial Vehicle since that vehicle made i,ts bow to the public, and have been intimately asseciated with it. throughout its history. They are, at the present time, owing to the special release of Austins, able to dispose of quite a number of these useful vehicles, and are doing a good business throughout Halifax and district in them at the moment. Star and Lacre chassis have been selected to fill in gaps in respect of load capacity; owing to Austins not catering for -a complete line, and also because it was felt that buyers would in many cases preferto be offered a choice of makes. So far,
we believe, and as might very well be expected, the firm have every reason to be pleased with the re snItsof their enterprise, and no less with their choice of chassis.
British-made Chassis Only.
It -is interesting to note that notwithstanding difficulties which
have now for years and more been placed in the way of agents for British-made chassis, Messrs. Green-wood have nevertheless steadfastly adhered to their policy of selling British chassis only. In other respects also their patriotism hasp been made manifest, one of the sons, who took an important share in the management of the business, ;being with the Colours. His place has, so far as is possible, been taken by his sister.
The depot, of which %ve made a. thorough inspection, is, of course, entirely modern in construction. It is admirably laid out and designed ; there is, moreover, evidence of an intelligent anticipation of the pew sibility of extensions as time and business necessities call for these. As at present constituted, they consist of one long bay, 40 ft. Wide by 160 ft. long. The portion immediately abutting on to the street has a floor level raised some 4 or 5 ft above the ground, and, as this portion is immediately behind the front window, it serves as an adequate Showroom. Below this elevated portion is a basement of a very considerable capacity, serving as a storeroom either for extra stocks of spares or other goods. Above the showroom and along the north sideof the shop runs a gallery. . This is extensively used for bodywork. Underneath the gallery on the ground floor is placed the machine shop:, fitting shop, tire press, stores and, at the end nearest the showroom and abutting on the elevated stage, are the 'offices. It is important to note that from these offices practically the whole of -the depot can be supervised,, with the exception of the gallery .upstairs. ,
Well.equiPpid Machine Shop.
The machine shop is adequately fitted out with.the most up-to-date machinery, the firm's previous long experience in the maehine-tool, line haying enabled them to equip this department to the best advantage.
The main portion of the shop is available for -the .storage of vehicles, new and old, and for any overhauls and repairs that may be necessary. Large swing doors, one at the extreme end of. the shop furthest from the street, and the other at the side :which is just behind the elevated platform, allow of the very necessary run through for the vehicles. Suitable cranes are available oVer each .department, as also-is that. very necessary item the pit.
Staff of Mechanics.
•• An adequate staff, especially considering war-time restrictions, is invariably in attendanee; and alto. gether. Messrs. Thomas Greenwood's SODS are to be corn-, plimentednpon the enterprise and the thoroughness with which they have entered upon the commereial-vehicle industry.